Pat,
thanks for passing on those good thoughts. I think it's easy to get more
concerned about being right than about winning people to Christ. Good
reminder of that.
JulieMelton
visit me at
www.heart-and-music.com
Keep smiling!
>From: Pat Ferguson <[log in to unmask]>
>Reply-To: The Electronic Church <[log in to unmask]>
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Fwd: April 27, 2006 - Da Vinci decoded - Daily Devotional
>Date: Thu, 27 Apr 2006 10:28:18 -0500
>
>
>>April 27, 2006
>><http://www.purposedrivenlife.com/sendtoafrienddevo.aspx?articleid=1742>
>>[]
>>
>>
>>
>>Da Vinci decoded
>>by John Fischer
>>
>>Well, I’m on page 243 of The Da Vinci Code and it certainly is a
>>page-turner. I’m reading it because I want to be able to speak
>>intelligently to the interest that will surely be on the rise as this
>>blockbuster novel becomes a major motion picture with a high-profile team
>>of actors including Tom Hanks in the leading role. More than 40 million
>>copies of the novel have been sold, and the movie will most certainly
>>drive that number higher.
>>
>>The controversial nature of its theme recalls the movie The Last
>>Temptation of Christ taken from the book by Nikos Kazantzakis that
>>presents a confused Christ and an offensive dream sequence from the cross
>>involving his relationship with Mary Magdalene. The intense reaction of
>>the religious community against that movie amounted to a call to arms.
>>Theaters were picketed and boycotted, and a march was organized on
>>Universal Studios. (I still wonder why Christians would expect unbelievers
>>to get the story right in the first place.)
>>
>>It is my understanding that The Da Vinci Code has similar controversial
>>interpretations of Jesus, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of Christ, and
>>the Catholic Church. Still, it would be better if cooler heads prevailed
>>if only for the opportunity to present another more accurate version of
>>the biblical account as over and against becoming entangled in yet another
>>culture war.
>>
>>Though the story is clearly fiction, it will raise questions in people’s
>>minds about the validity of the sources through which the story of Christ
>>and his disciples has come down to us. In other words: We have homework to
>>do. I suggest we turn this cultural event into an opportunity for
>>dialogue, not a call to battle. Here are some things I think would be
>>appropriate.
>>
>>1) Let’s not try and be experts about something we haven’t read or seen.
>>If we’re going to have an opinion, make sure it’s an informed one.
>>
>>2) Bone up on the origin of our information about the Scriptures and why
>>we can trust them as reliable historical documents and as God’s Word. [See
>>below for some recommended material to help you do this.]
>>
>>3) Use this information to bolster our own faith, not fight a battle of
>>wits with unbelievers we are eager to disprove.
>>
>>4) Use the information gained to address the doubts of those who are
>>genuinely seeking the truth.
>>
>>5) Above all, let’s use this interest in the historicity of religion as an
>>opportunity to get people thinking about the possibility of a real
>>relationship with Christ – something we have found to be our own personal
>>validation of the truth.
>>
>>We don’t have to defend God or win a culture war. God is perfectly capable
>>of taking care of himself. Dan Brown, and our culture in response, has
>>brought up the subject of Christ and the early days of church history. By
>>making our conversation positive and seasoned with grace, we can point
>>people toward the truth instead of driving them away from us.
>>
>>“But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way,
>>whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of
>>this I rejoice.” (Philippians 1:18 NIV)
>>
>>----------
>><http://www.purposedriven.com/en-US/Resources/SmallGroupMinistry/Curriculum/DaVinciCode.htm>
>>[]
>>
>>
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>>[]
>>
>>John Fischer is the Senior Writer for Purpose Driven Life Daily
>>Devotionals. He resides in Southern California with his wife, Marti and
>>son, Chandler. They also have two adult children, Christopher and Anne.
>>John is a published author and popular speaker.
>>
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